Ask any schoolchild when
Earth Day is, and theyŐll likely give you the right answer. Ask them the same
question about World Environment Day, and youŐll probably get a blank stare in
return. In fairness to the kids, itŐs really not their fault. Despite the fact
that World Environment Day was established by the United Nations back in 1972,
itŐs largely a non-event in Canada.I suspect that is this because many of the functions and celebrations of
the United Nations are often focused on need – something few Canadians
know anything about. Programs like World Environment Day, World AIDS Day and
other UN programs donŐt even enter our radar because we live in a land of such
bounty and privilege.

Perhaps itŐs time for a
little history lesson. The United Nations General Assembly established June 5
as World Environment Day in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm
Conference on the Human Environment. On the same day the UN General Assembly passed
another resolution that led to the creation of the United Nations Environment
Programme (or UNEP), arguably the most important vehicle we have for dealing
with global environmental problems.

According to the UN, the
purpose of World Environment Day is to stimulate worldwide awareness of the
environment and enhance political attention and action. The 2006 theme, Deserts
and Desertification, was chosen because on the UN calendar, 2006 is also the
International Year of Deserts and Desertification. (Bet you didnŐt know that,
either – I sure didnŐt.)

With predictions that
catastrophic climate change might be just around the corner, this yearŐs theme
couldnŐt be more timely – particularly for Canadians. Alberta and
Saskatchewan are already suffering through record drought conditions and much
of southern Alberta has been engulfed in uncontrolled forest fires for weeks.
If this keeps up, CanadaŐs breadbasket may soon become part of the vast
drylands of the Earth, which already cover more than 40 percent of planetŐs
surface.

What I find astonishing is
that these arid lands are already home to more than two billion people, or
one-third of the worldŐs population, most of whom are the most vulnerable
members of the family of man.

ŇFor most dryland dwellers, life is hard and the future often
precarious,Ó said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. ŇThey live on the
ecological, economic and social margins.It is essential that we do not neglect them or the fragile habitats on
which they depend.Ó

It may already be to late.
With human activity already altering the climate at an unprecedented rate, many
of these arid regions are becoming the worldŐs political hotspots. Civil wars
are raging in many countries where fundamental resources such as food and water
are scarce.

ŇAcross the planet, poverty,
unsustainable land management and climate change are turning drylands into
deserts, and desertification in turn exacerbates and leads to poverty,Ó said
Annan. ŇThere is also mounting evidence that dryland degradation and competition
over increasingly scarce resources can bring communities into conflict.
Furthermore, people whose livelihoods and survival depend on drylands are
swelling the ranks of environmental and economic refugees who are testing the
already stretched resources of towns and cities across the developing world.Ó

Clearly, this is a major
problem that requires our concerted attention. The suffering of two billion
souls cannot go unheard. To bring it even closer to home, the mounting death
toll of our Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan bears witness to the fact that
unrest anywhere in the world affects us all.

ThereŐs much to be done. For
starters, we can begin by learning more about World Environment Day and finding
out what other countries around the world are doing to celebrate. ItŐs both
interesting and embarrassing to note that Canada doesnŐt even appear on UNŐs
list of countries that are planning World Environment Day activities. Even the
US is hosting seven major events.

If youŐre stuck for ideas or
need inspiration, the official UNEP website features The World Environment Day
Alphabet which offers 77 ways to celebrate. This A to Z listing has suggestions
for everything from Awareness Days to Zero Emissions. The list is inspiring and
a clear reminder of exactly how much more we Canadians could be doing to
protect Mother Earth.